Our aim was to get to Turkey via Tunesia. However the three months hold-up in Morocco due to COVID meant we now had to deal with the July and August winds in the Southern Med and they are predominantly from the East, the so called “Levante”. After observing the weather pattern for two weeks when […]
How to get further Eastwards? Read More »
Spain lifted travel restrictions on Jun 21, exactly three months after the lockdown in Morocco began on Mar 20. Yes, ………..now we had a place to go to but, …………. We had to ask the Moroccan authorities for permission to leave since the country is still under lock-down until Jul 14. After signing a document
locked down March 20 – June 26, 2020 Especially during the first month, the COVID restrictions were strictly enforced. Only one person per boat was allowed to leave the marina for shopping to the nearest grocery store or pharmacy, which for us happened to be both in the Ibn Battuta Mall (the red dot at
Tangier, Morocco – 4 Read More »
Although the Medina and the Kasbah are the tourist source of income, Tangier has more up its sleeve. The modern business district can rival with many European cities and Tangier is surrounded by 4 major industrial parks home to a diversified industry. The glitzy towers and 4 lane roads miss the atmosphere of the older
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In 1419 the Portuguese were the first in Europe to start methodical expeditions along West Africa’s coast under the sponsorship of prince Henry the Navigator, marking the beginnings of Europe’s “Age of Discoveries” (See; https://www.twobatsea.com/belem-portugal/). Tangier became Portugese territory in 1471 but in 1661 was passed on to the British as part of Portuguese princess Catherine
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After fuelling up at CEPSA in Gibraltar, (0.75 EU per liter but more expensive than Philippines!) we left for Tangier on Sunday Mar 8, 2020. Navigating our way out of Gibraltar bay between the anchored freighters and tankers is the easy part. What you really have to look out for are the high speed ferries.
Tangier, Morocco – 1 Read More »
Not surprisingly; walking in Gibraltar is like walking in a giant medieval fort. You can enter via the main road but you can also take the “original entrance”. Following the tunnel you end up on Casemates Square, that got its name from the bunkers and bombproof barracks. The square is now lined with pubs, restaurants
With the boat safely moored in marina Alcaidesa waiting for the parts to fix the escape hatches we rented a car and went to Seville for a three day visit. We arrived around lunch time so after checking in in the hotel we went for lunch in a Lebanese restaurant. We had left Abu Dhabi
After pasport control you follow Winston Churchill Avenue and cross the famous airstrip into the North District of Gibraltar city. The first suburb you walk into is “Ocean Village” a Dubai like development with high risers, waterfront bars and restaurants around a small marina. We enjoyed many sun-downers in this cozy area. Gibraltar has a
In Cadiz we assessed the situation with Newpoint Moverbo the Dutch dealer of our boat. If we stayed in Cadiz waiting for the necessary parts to make the escape hatches safe to sail, we would not be able to leave Europe before the deadline of March 05, 2020. As a consequence we would become VAT
La Linea de la Conception Read More »